A DOCTOR appointed as cancer lead at a Tyneside hospital has pledged to improve services.

Dr Oliver Schulte, who is also a consultant radiologist, works at South Tyneside District Hospital.

He said: “My aim is to make sure that we provide a safe and effective cancer service for our patients through robust care pathways.

“Early diagnosis of cancer is an important element because the earlier a patient starts treatment then the better their chance of survival and of a good quality of life.”

In 2010, 2,700 people who were registered with a GP in South Tyneside had been diagnosed with cancer, which represents 1.7% of the population. This compares to an average of 1.4% of the England population with a cancer diagnosis.

In South Tyneside, all cancers account for 30% of all deaths and 40% of early deaths under the age of 75. The most common cancer types in South Tyneside are lung and bowel.

Whilst the early mortality rate due to all cancers has been falling in the borough, the gap between the South Tyneside and England rates has remained the same.